1 Chronicles 4

1. The sons of Judah. Chapter iv. 1-23 contains genealogical fragments connected with families in the tribe of Judah. Most of the names are otherwise unknown; and in some cases there are errors, which cannot at present be corrected. This is also the case in subsequent chapters.

9. Jabez. This remarkable man, whose parentage is not recorded, probably lived soon after the Israelites took possession of Canaan; and when they were greatly harassed by the remnant of the ancient inhabitants, Jabez showed his piety by desiring the full possession of the promised inheritance, and by seeking it from God through prayer.

10 that it may not grieve me. Or, “that I may be sorrowful no more”; alluding to the signification of his name.

14. Charashim. (R.V., “Ge-harashim.”) Founder of the valley of “craftsmen” or “artificers.” See Neh. xi. 35. It has been conjectured that it is now Hirsha, a ruined town near Lydda.

18 these are the sons of Bithiah. There is some confusion here, which may be removed by a slight transposition thus: “These are the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, which Mered took; she bare him Miriam, and Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa; whose wife the Jewess bare Jered the father of Gedor,” etc.

19 his wife Hodiah. Rather, as R.V., “the wife of Hodiah.”

23 those that dwelt among plants and hedges. Rather, as R.V., “the inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah.”

38 princes. Or, “chiefs.”

41 habitations. “The Meunim” (R.V.); cp. Judges x. 12 (Maonites); 2 Chron. xxvi. 7.

43 that were escaped. The descendants of those who had escaped in the wars with Saul and David.